The Lancet highlights gains made in the fight against neglected tropical diseases, and identified areas where additinal support is needed.

"Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) cover a wide range of infections that predominantly affect the poorest and most vulnerable individuals. Neglected, but not unknown, these diseases are preventable and treatable. They threaten the lives of more than 1 billion people worldwide, including half a billion children. To take the “neglected” out of NTDs, public and private partners—including drug companies, donors, and governments—committed to what is now referred to as the 2012 London Declaration to control, eliminate, or eradicate by 2020 ten NTDs (lymphatic filariasis, trachoma, soil-transmitted helminths, onchocerciasis, schistosomiaisis, leprosy, guinea worm, visceral leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, and human African trypanosomiasis). The promises made were to ensure the supply of drugs, to advance research and development, to enhance collaboration and coordination at national and international levels, to enable adequate funding, and to monitor programmes."